Parental alienation can devastate families, especially children, during or after a divorce. It happens when one parent manipulates a child into rejecting or fearing the other parent, harming the child’s emotional well-being and their relationship with the alienated parent. If you’re facing this, I know how painful and challenging it can be. I’m Scott A. Hamblin, and for over 20 years, I’ve helped Missouri families address issues like parental alienation. Let’s work together to protect your bond with your child and keep their best interests the priority.
Parental alienation happens when one parent’s actions turn a child against the other parent, often due to personal grievances during a separation or divorce. The impact on children can be profound and lasting.Â
Examples include false accusations of abuse, speaking negatively about the other parent, or discouraging communication and visits. Children may show fear, anger or rejection toward one parent without reason, reflecting the alienating parent’s influence. This is more than family conflict – it’s psychological manipulation that leaves children feeling confused and distressed.Â
The effects go beyond the immediate family. The alienated parent’s bond with the child is deeply damaged, creating long-term harm that can be difficult, but not impossible, to repair.
Addressing parental alienation is not an easy task, and it’s one no parent should face alone. Help is available, and as an attorney experienced in family law, I am uniquely equipped to guide you through this process. Here are the steps you can take:
Being aware of what’s happening is the first step. Take note of any signs of alienation, such as your child expressing unjustified hostility toward you or repeating negative remarks from your co-parent. Keep a record of behaviors, interactions and any communications that may serve as evidence of alienation.
Despite the challenges, it’s vital to show patience and understanding with your child. Reassure them that you love them unconditionally, even when they seem distant or angry. Keeping an open, judgment-free line of communication can help protect your relationship over time.
Therapists or family counselors can play an instrumental role in addressing parental alienation’s emotional impacts. Therapy can provide a neutral space for children and parents to rebuild their bond while addressing the root causes of the alienation. It may also help in demonstrating your commitment to your child’s well-being during court proceedings.
This is where I come in. When false accusations or alienation behavior jeopardize your parent-child relationship, you need legal guidance to protect your rights. I can help you explore options such as filing for court-ordered therapy, modifying custody arrangements or, in severe cases, requesting supervised visitation for the alienating parent. I work with you to create a legal strategy that fits your situation while prioritizing the needs of your child.
If out-of-court discussions fail to resolve the issue, it may be necessary to take legal action. Judges often view parental alienation as a serious concern, especially when there’s evidence of harm to the child’s emotional health. I will advocate for your child’s best interests, presenting a compelling case that highlights the alienating behaviors while outlining the benefits of fostering a positive relationship with both parents.
Parental alienation is heartbreaking for both parents and children, but it is not something you have to face alone. With the right approach and strong legal representation, it is possible to protect your parental rights and rebuild your connection with your child. My priority is to ensure your child’s happiness and emotional well-being while advocating for your right to be a meaningful part of their life. Contact my office for a consultation.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
Scott and his office were so helpful, thorough and professional during a very adversarial divorce. He offers good solid advice. He does not pursue options which will more than likely not yield a good result ( unless the client insists). He strives to give his clients the best results for their money. He's personable but professional. He answers inquiries quickly and clearly. Highly recommend!
Mr. Hamblin is one of the best attorneys we have ever had the privilege to use. He is courteous and to the point. I would recommend him to anyone and we will continue to use his services.
Scott Hamblin is simply put - the best! Scott deserves 10 stars! He has all the qualities a person could ask for with legal representation and more. I even had a lawyer from another county tell me, Mr. Hamblin is an excellent lawyer. That remark alone told me how respected he is, by his peers. He's highly professional, extremely knowledgeable, respectful and courteous, does his due diligence to understand and know his case, has excellent communication skills with his staff and client. His performance in the court room arena was exciting to watch. Dynamic! I knew when I walked into…
Scott Hamblin is the best lawyer that I have ever met. He really cares about his clients and does not sugar coat anything. He works very hard to help his clients, and knows the law very well, and he will work with you on your tab if he can. The staff there is very helpful too. I would recommend Scott and that law firm to anyone that needs a lawyer. They are the best. And you get what you pay for, so give them a call.
I am very pleased with Mr. Hamblin. I needed an attorney for my custody case and I did not know who to use. I found Mr. Hamblin on the internet. All the reviews I read and now my experiences with him and his team are spot on. I was being denied reasonable time with my daughter. Her mother attempted to continue to limit my time but Mr. Hamblin's hard work and dedication to my case resulted in equal custody of my daughter. I highly recommend Mr. Hamblin!
I was thoroughly impressed with Scott Hamblin and his team, Madasyn and Cameo, as they represented me in a very difficult case, involving multiple businesses and complexities. Scotts knowledge and expertise was invaluable. He and his team involved me every step of the way throughout the entire process. I was included in email correspondences, as well as, phone and video calls with witnesses and experts. What stood out, and set Scott and his team apart from my previous counsel, was their authenticity and genuineness. They truly cared about me as an individual and truly cared about my case Scott and…
Finding an attorney is not easy, and in my case I was in a child custody modification that was being dragged out and messy. This went on for a full 3.5 years. I had other representation at the time that I didn’t feel was doing what was best for me and my kids. I reached out to Scott after taking time to review others reviews and asking around in the community for a collective opinion. Scott is hands down the most honest, direct, family law attorney I could have asked for. If I had a question or needed advise him…
My divorce was with a difficult person, Mr.Hamblin handled every aspect of the divorce, professionally and quickly, his experience and knowledge was extremely helpful. thank you, Mr.Hamblin for your support.
Scott helped us with a very difficult situation with utmost professionalism and expertise. He was at all times very professional and considerate of our needs. He provided excelent advise.
Scott will forever be regarded by myself as the best divorce lawyer in Jefferson City bar none. His service, expertise, knowledge and dedication to all of his clients is top notch. I hope that no one ever finds themselves in a position of his services, but if you do, you cannot make a wrong choice with him at your side. Scott was able to get a fair and equitable decision in my case and he will most certainly do the same for you if necessary. His knowledge of the law and experience from every case he has ever tried were…
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.